Main purpose of job

To be responsible to the Zoo Operations Manager for public education in relation to Belfast Zoo and its role in wildlife conservation, breeding programmes and scientific study.

To liaise with the Zoo Operations Manager on drawing up an annual work programme of public education initiatives, and subsequently delivering it to agreed quality, time and budget targets.

Summary of responsibilities and personal duties

1. Be responsible to the Zoo Operations Manager for the development, implementation and monitoring of the zoo’s educational strategy in line with legislative requirements and industry standards, whilst adhering to budgets, timescales and corporate guidelines.
2. Be responsible for organising and delivering a high-quality education service including delivering, developing, evaluating and promoting existing or new educational programmes aligned with zoo objectives and national curriculum requirements.
3. Use market research and visitor feedback including but not limited to, visitor satisfaction surveys, benchmarking projects and regular customer feedback channels, to make recommendations for educational activity which will enhance future performance and contribute to income generation.
4. Plan and deliver on-site and off-site wildlife and conservation education programmes, events, activities and tours to a wide variety of customers including schools, community groups and other external bodies, that are suitable for a wide range of audiences.
5. Be responsible for administration associated with education bookings and resources including bookings and payments, feedback and evaluation, and effective customer communications.
6. Assist in developing a culture of conservation and environmental sustainability throughout the zoo.
7. Devise specialised projects for classes and groups of all ages, including learning resources, to engage with learners and promote the zoo’s education programmes.
8. Ensure strong links are developed and maintained with the zoo’s education service and external bodies i.e. industry associations (e.g. BIAZA, EAZA), statutory and government departments, education and library boards, schools and higher and further education colleges, voluntary and community agencies and environmental bodies, to achieve objectives.
9. Organise, facilitate and participate in courses for teachers and science tutors promoting the zoo as a facility for advising the attainment targets of the national curriculum.
10. Design and create high quality and engaging education resources, visual aids and literature for use in educational programmes, activities and events.
11. Be responsible for the development and ongoing review of on-site signage to reinforce conservation messages, including undertaking an annual audit of such materials.
12. Build-up, keep stock of and maintain a collection of small animals specifically for educational uses in line with animal welfare guidelines.
13. Be responsible for the general welfare and husbandry of the zoo education animals including the cleaning and inherent safety and security of the animals, record keeping, the preparation and storage of animal food and the feeding of animals including consultation of dietary changes in collaboration with the Curators and, or zoo Vet.
14. Be responsible for ensuring the cleanliness of all assigned areas within the site and carrying out checks as appropriate.
15. Provide advice, guidance and information on the zoo’s educational and other services to members of the public and respond as appropriate to requests for information, including media interviews as coordinated by the zoo.
16. Be responsible for the coordination, implementation and monitoring of a volunteer scheme; including promoting the scheme, developing and delivering training to volunteers and monitoring the effectiveness of the scheme.
17. Produce drafts for press releases and marketing material, and when required participate in media work including traditional platforms such as broadcasting and television, and other digital marketing and promotional methods in line with departmental and corporate guidelines.
18. Assist and take part in the organisation and delivery of promotional events and activities and to set up and attend exhibitions to promote all zoo services.
19. Be responsible for coordinating research and scientific studies within the zoo to include facilitating researchers, site visits, managing requests for information, managing work and education placements, and keeping accurate records of such actions.
20. Assist as necessary with the training of zoo staff and to assist where appropriate with the implementation and delivery of any zoo initiatives which will help maximise income generation.
21. Keep detailed records of own work and time and to produce and ensure accurate and timely management, production and collation of service performance data required for committee reports, reports, official returns, freedom of information, data protection, budget and performance measurement.
22. Be responsible for and liaise, as appropriate, with the Friends of the Zoo group, across a range of their activities.
23. Seek suitable external funding sources to initiate additional relevant programmes, to work with relevant groups to assist with applications for funding.
24. Have responsibility within the post holder’s sphere for health and safety, ensuring compliance with health and safety legislation and best practice relating to staff, customers and contractors. This will include but not be restricted to safe use and maintenance of machinery and equipment; risk assessments; various daily checks and fire alarm systems, ensuring adequate cover when necessary. It will also ensure all relevant assessments and records are maintained and the zoo facilities are safe and secure for staff, contractors and public always, and assist in emergency evacuations.
25. Liaise with other departments and participate in corporate and service level interdepartmental teams and project groups.
26. Represent the relevant line manager, when necessary, within the postholders sphere of responsibility.
27. Motivate and manage any staff, that may be assigned to the post holder to ensure effective service delivery and to be responsible for reviewing and implementing a proper staff training and development programme.
28. Participate in all induction and in-service training provided by Belfast City Council and in the induction and support of all newly appointed staff and other human resource management policies and procedures, as appropriate, including, absence management, disciplinary and grievance procedure.
29. Participate as directed in the council’s recruitment and selection procedures.
30. Undertake the duties in such a way as to enhance and protect the reputation and public profile of the city council including the provision of information to the public.
31. Undertake such other relevant duties as may from time to time be required.

This job description has been written at a time of significant organisational change, and it will be subject to review and amendment as the demands of the role and the organisation evolve. Therefore, the post-holder will be required to be flexible, adaptable and aware that they may be asked to perform tasks, duties and responsibilities which are not specifically detailed in the job description, but which are commensurate with the role.

Employee specification

Essential criteria

 Driving licence, qualifications and experience

Applicants must, as at the closing date for receipt of application forms:

• possess a full, current driving licence which enables them to drive in Northern Ireland or have access to a form of transport which enables them to meet the requirements of the post in full. It is desirable that a vehicle is available for official business; and
• either, have a recognised teaching qualification or a third level qualification in a relevant subject such as Zoology, Biology, Environmental Studies, or an equivalent qualification and be able to demonstrate on the application form, by providing personal and specific examples, at least one year’s relevant experience in each of the following three areas

or

• be able to demonstrate on the application form, by providing personal and specific examples that they have at least two years’ relevant experience in each of the following three areas:

1. 1. teaching or education officer role or similar, teaching a broad range of people from pre-school children to adults;
   2. the organisation of events, exhibitions or education programmes; and
   3. the research and preparation of display materials for exhibitions and education projects.

Applicants must also be comfortable handling a wide range of animals, such as snakes and rabbits.  This will be tested at interview.

Desirable criterion

In addition to the above essential criteria, Belfast City Council reserves the right to shortlist only those applicants who, as at the closing date for receipt of application forms, either, have a recognised teaching qualification or a third level qualification in a relevant subject such as Zoology, Biology, Environmental Studies, or an equivalent qualification and can demonstrate, by providing personal and specific examples on the application form, at least two years’ relevant experience in each of the above noted areas (a) – (c) or can demonstrate on the application form, by providing personal and specific examples, at least three years’ relevant experience in each of the aforementioned areas a) to c).

Special skills and attributes

Applicants must be able to demonstrate evidence of the following skills and attributes which may be tested at interview:

Communication skills: the ability to keep and maintain accurate records and possess effective oral and written communication skills and diplomacy in dealing with outside groups and organisations and the ability to deliver education programmes and talks.

Technical knowledge: the ability to maintain a collection of small animals ensuring high standards of animal welfare and the ability to educate effectively in relation to Belfast Zoo and its role in wildlife conservation, breeding programmes and scientific study.

Information technology skills: the ability to effectively use a range of Microsoft Office packages and other programmes to maintain relevant visual aids for training purposes, preparing educational materials, and so on.

Customer care skills: the ability to deal effectively and positively with members of the public in a range of situations to promote the work of the zoo.

Work planning skills: the ability to forward plan and to effectively prioritise the work of a large section considering short- and medium-term goals, service demands and the availability of resources.

Health and safety knowledge: knowledge and understanding of relevant health and safety issues and legislation.

Leadership and team working skills: Effective leadership skills capable of making a full contribution to team decision-making, the ability to work with several teams and lead on change and use initiative and responsibility to ensure targets and objectives are met.

Analysis and decision-making skills: The ability to analyse complex situations and make decisions using the data that has been gathered.

Information technology skills:  The ability to operate a range of standard office programs and have a high degree of understanding of how ICT and new technology can increase business efficiency.

Political sensitivity skills: An awareness of how Local Government and other public bodies operate and the ability to work with a diverse group of other managers and professionals, both internally and externally, to meet common objectives.